In the Company of Women
On March 13, 2025, the Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade, in partnership with the Miami-Dade County Commission for Women and County Parks, proudly hosted the 36th annual In The Company of Women Awards. The time-honored event honored 13 exceptional women leaders for their inspiring contributions to Miami-Dade County. Joined by county officials, community leaders, and supporters across county sectors, the celebration highlighted the lasting impact of women leaders making a difference in their community.
Every Day is Earth Day at Miami-Dade Parks
Earth Day celebration is among the County’s largest and most popular cyclical events. Each year, Miami-Dade Parks, in partnership with the Parks Foundation, hosts the community at a different park where parks staff and volunteers focus on park cleanups, invasive plant removal, planting of native vegetation and trees to preserve the natural environment. Yearly staples of Park’s Earth Day celebrations include a fun zone and Eco Village with nature-based exhibits, where visitors can take home sustainable giveaways, including free orchids and native tree species for planting in their own backyards, as a way to increase the County’s tree canopy. In 2024, for example, the event featured a variety of environmental, educational, and conservation activities with a focus on restoring Larry and Penny Thompson Park’s Pine Rockland. As part of the celebrations, parks staff help educate participating families about simple steps they can take to be better environmental stewards, such as composting organic waste while cooking or choosing to bike or walk instead of driving.
“Earth Day reminds us that every day is an opportunity to honor and nurture our precious environment,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava at this year’s event. “Together, we celebrate the beauty, diversity, and resilience of our planet, while recognizing our collective responsibility to safeguard it, and cultivate a sustainable future for today and generations to come.”
“Each year, the Parks Foundation partners with Miami-Dade Parks to celebrate Earth Day through hands-on conservation—park cleanups, invasive plant removal, and planting native trees and vegetation. Families take home orchids and native trees to grow in their own backyards, helping expand Miami-Dade’s tree canopy. Together, we nurture our environment, restore natural habitats, and inspire a sustainable future for generations to come.”
Girls Got Game: Giving Girls a Competitive Edge in Sports and In Life
Each year, in sync with National Girls & Women in Sports Day, Miami‑Dade Parks teams up with the Parks Foundation to host Girls Got Game at Tropical Park. This free, interactive event invites girls ages 6–17 to try sports like soccer, volleyball, flag football, netball, softball, and tennis—with coaching from athletes and community partners like the Miami Dolphins, Heat, and Marlins. In 2023, Marlins GM Kim Ng inspired participants; in 2024, it was Clara Stroude‑Vazquez from the Heat who encouraged girls with the message that “the skills you need for any job … you’ll get from sports.”
4th of July and National Park and Recreation Month: Celebrating our nation and the people who provide its park experiences
Every July 4, Miami‑Dade County Parks joins forces with the Parks Foundation to host a free, inclusive, public celebration at Tropical Park. This event marks the kickoff of National Parks & Recreation Month and brings the community together with live entertainment, courtesy of our media partner, Univision, food trucks, a Family Fun Zone, and a spectacular drone light and fireworks finale. It’s a day to honor independence and unity—inviting everyone to experience their parks and embrace what they offer all year long.
Love-In: Let Love Rule
Each year, the Parks Foundation joins Miami-Dade County Parks for the Love-In Music Festival at historic Greynolds Park—a nod to the 1960s “love-ins” that once brought Miami’s flower children to this iconic site atop the observation mound. Since its debut in 2004, this beloved classic‑rock celebration invites the community to enjoy live performances from local and national acts, costume contests, food, and family fun—all amid 249 acres of hardwood hammock and mangrove forest, one of the last protected natural areas in northern Miami‑Dade County. At the event, the Parks Foundation engages festivalgoers with information and inspiration, highlighting the importance of preserving these remaining natural spaces.
